Challenge for Earth

[Rachael Blackthorne]

Before this discussion deteriorates further into one more suitable for Kalinda to conduct, I would like to point out that the challenge in question has been rescinded by Neo as of 6 January.

If Neo has reversed that decision and still intends to press challenge, then there are just four people who need to be heard from, from that point on, to settle the details of the challenge: Neo, Mur, Chythraul and myself, in the event that the Earth Keeper cannot make the challenge and needs the Air Keeper to champion him.

[Rhiannon D Harker]

In years past, it was customary to have three people that could validate challenges per sport: coordinator, assistant coordinator and standings keeper. Having one person fill two of those slots makes things awkward at best when one is unavailable to back up the other. People often forget that officials of any given sport are also participants.

Not self validating a challenge is more of an unwritten rule than a written one. As my sister, the barrister, would say, it presents a conflict of interest.

While I agree with the spirit of what Cor has said with regard to not self validating, one should never spout off regarding what is or is not a rule of any sport lest they be, to quote Corlanthis, 'laughed off the cork' since the rules are what is written. All other things are traditions or customs.

Rhiannon Harker

[Tasslehofl Momus]

...there are just four people who need to be heard from, from that point on, to settle the details of the challenge: Neo, Mur, Chythraul and myself, in the event that the Earth Keeper cannot make the challenge and needs the Air Keeper to champion him.

While this is generous on your part, Rachael, it is not your call to make.

Should the Keeper of Earth not be able to meet the time frame by which to accept the challenge (if it is to take place, or any challenge, for that matter), the decision falls to the coordinators and administrators as to what is to be done with the failed response or lack of participation... not a fellow Keeper.

While you were asked to champion the challenge during my challenge to the Keeper of Earth, that is not to say that you would be asked again. It could well be the Keeper of Water or Keeper of Fire that might be requested to champion next.

This, too, falls to any challenge to any title holder for any sport. While a fellow title holder may offer to step in as a champion, it is not their call to make. To state that what you did above: "there are just four people who need to be heard from, from that point on, to settle the details of the challenge: Neo, Mur, Chythraul and myself" implies that you have the authority and right to decide how this challenge is going to happen. Unfortunately, you do not, nor does any other individual who is not directly a part of the challenge or the administration of the sport(s) until such time that the administration requests your (or any others) presence.


~Tasslehofl Momus

[Corlanthis]

Actually. I have one last thing that I would like to add.

Neo, I owe you an apology.

I was wrong to attack you the way I did when you have given so much to this sport. Any concerns I had should have been taken up with you in private and not handled in the grossly improper way I handled it. I reacted in haste and in doing so I maligned you unfairly, and for that I wholeheartedly apologize.

[Rachael Blackthorne]

Tass, I respectfully beg to differ.

Quoting directly from the rules on Keeper challenges:

Should a Keeper fail to respond to a challenge issued to them within one week, the challenge will then be out of that Keeper's hands. It will be fought by a champion on their behalf. The first champion selected will be the Keeper of the opposite element. For example, should the Keeper of Earth fail to respond to a challenge, the Keeper of Air will be selected to fight as the Keeper of Earth's champion. If the selected champion declines, the other two Keepers will be asked to volunteer to champion.

You are correct that I do not hold a position of authority, Tass. I was merely referring to the contingency plan already in place should a Keeper fail to respond to a validated challenge in a timely fashion.

[Neo Eternity]

Thanks, Cor. I appreciate it, and gladly accept.

I owe the community an apology as well. I wanted to try and get back into the dueling scene, and the timing for it was unfortunate due to the staff situation in DoM at the moment. I thought that by putting the ball into the community's court, I would be able to proceed on my own without it looking unscrupulous, but instead, it only appeared less unscrupulous. I wasn't trying to cut corners. I was trying to keep everything on the up and up as best as I could flying solo, but I didn't really do it the right way. There were better ways that I didn't think of. It was pointed out to me that the rules for don't specifically call for a DoM coordinator for validation, so I could have asked for help from one of the other sports, for example. (I actually think this is a good accidental provision.) My actions here weren't particularly thought out. So to everyone in the dueling community, I'm sorry.

I'm still rescinding the challenge. I'd like to walk away and let this fiasco cool down. But I will be back. The vigilant adventurer in me still itches for this challenge in particular, and it's because of that vigilance that it's important for everything to be on the up and up. I won't fight you unless it's fair and square. Next time, we'll be doing this right.

[Chythraul The Vile]

Upon the face of a barren pedestal which rested in the Great Hall of Messages (The Forum), a green orb of magic transcended from one plane to the next and disappeared within moments of its arrival. It left in its wake an unraveled scroll made from the skin of Drow and written with the blood of dragons. It was an ichorous blood, its acidic properties betrayed by the way it singed into the limed drow-skin parchment.

It was a beautiful, calligraphic script; obviously written by the steadiest and most patient of hands. The note was addressed to no one but it read thusly:

"I, Chythraul The Vile and at the behest of my queen, do hereby accept this challenge. I am honored that, even new to this sport, I have been offered the highest of compliments by being served challenges from those who rank highest in this little game that amuses our benevolent queen. It pleases my queen that I, so new and with unproven skill, strike fear into the hearts of so many champions.

That said, let it be known far and wide that the men, women and children who once lived in the small town of Llanfair which existed in the Southern Glen of Rhy'Din have been sacrificed to me by their neighboring village in a valorous attempt to strengthen my magic for this challenge. They do this because, if I should lose, the people Llamrien who sold the souls of Llanfair to me shall suffer a far worse fate.

- Chythraul (He signed his name in Draconic)"


(In other words: If Neo wishes this challenge to still go forward I am all for it. Good luck, Dude! - Chythraul's mun)